Monday, 30 April 2012

Hi, hope you all had a great weekend. We had a weird day yesterday. My daughter had a trip to the seaside with Rainbows so me and A were left alone. I got a whole pile of ironing done and then I even let myself sit and relax. I actually fell asleep watching a film in the afternoon which I don't think I have done for the last 6 years! I must admit though I enjoyed it but I did miss the constant noise and questions and was glad to get my baby home again!

I have been inspired to make a new website for my business as I realise my Flash site is now out-of-date for people with these new-fangled phones so have begun working on a new HTML one. It is a bit of a cheat as I have used a template but I'm really pleased with how it is looking. My very useful geeky husband is also going to help me complete some of the trickier bits but I'm quite pleased with how much more professional it's looking. I'm hoping to have it completed this week so do look out for specail offers on launch day!

Friday, 27 April 2012

I am doing a very exciting event next Saturday 5th May 2012, it's the first British ETSY event ever and I have a stand there. I'm really looking forward to meeting lots of other ETSY folks to see what they are doing. There is also going to be a table with lots of other sellers cards on and computers with ETSY shops. It's going to be an ETSY-FEST!

It all sounds great and seems so well organised by Paula Newman who I am really looking forward to meeting.
My daughter has even turned down the opportunity to go to a party so she can come and help and is planning to make me some special things to sell! The only slight downside is it is almost a three hour drive and starts at 10am so I think it will probably be a sleepless night and a very early start but I think the adrenaline will kick in and hopefully the buzz of many happy customers will keep me awake!

The event is at Seaham in County Durham, for more info please do visit keepcalmevents.blogspot.com and if anyone is going to be there do please come and say hi, it would be lovely to meet you!

Thursday, 26 April 2012

Hi, I just wanted to say I had such a lovely day yesterday at a Conference at Murrayfield. It was the annual Conference and Awards for Executive Secretaries and PA's which doesn't sound like the most fun event but I have not been treated so nicely at any event I have had a stand at before. The staff at the venue and the organisors were all welcoming, friendly and generous, I was given food and drink (including champagne) all day long and had a great response to my work. If you are planning a conference I would definitely recommend Mackay Hannah Ltd. http://www.mackayhannah.com/

I was also given a lovely goodie bag from the organisors as well as lots of little gifts for myself and J from Susan at the PA Exchange generously gave prizes and treats to anyone she could find! A big thank you to everyone there, what a lovely bunch! http://www.thepaexchange.co.uk/

Tuesday, 24 April 2012

Had a very busy busy day. Had a meeting earlier, made 42 cards for an order and delivered them, made endless other cards, business cards and stickers for an event tomorrow and also a tooth box for a boy and checked all my stock to make sure everything is ready to go tomorrow! I have got to be at Murrayfield at 8am for a corporate event and have to be there until 6pm. (This has freaked out poor JT as I cannot do the drop-off or pick-up or take her to Rainbows. This has never happened before so Daddy is going to be busy!....He has to learn!!)

Hopefully it will all be worth it. I have popped to the bank and got lots of change so I am hoping for lots of sales. These things are great but a little frustrating as I go crazy making lots of things and then don't know which will or won't sell and there is usually one person who asks for a random type of card or image!

I don't think it will make enough for the camper van J would like but fingers crossed for a good day.

Just got to fetch the monkey from her playdate. Hope she's had fun, I will hear all about it while I do a little bit of ironing and then my work here is done!

Monday, 23 April 2012

Have had a busy productive day. Making cards for an order (although I am now waiting for my delivery of card and envelopes so that I can complete it but not panicking!...honest!) Also working on my new pendants and designing an image for a new business venture I am going to do with a friend. Very exciting stuff.

Although we are now suffering with technical problems trying to pass information and images to each other when we have different types of software...aaah the joy of modern life!

Friday, 20 April 2012

It has felt like a week full of hurly-burly! Rushing around, panicking and creating, and here are some of the outcome which I'm quite excited about. My new bags which will be appearing in my ETSY shop later today.

I am really enjoying making new work but still would like someone to hand me a bag full of extra time to get everything done so I am not constantly rushing to do everything. I presume this is a universal problem faced by every Mummy. But I do love spending so much of my time with J so really wouldn't want it any other way... so I will stop my moaning and go and get these items sorted!! Look out for new pendants coming soon too...
Please visit www.etsy.com/shop/SamMillerUK for any of my products or to just have a peek.

Wednesday, 18 April 2012

After living in fear of my new laminator for the last couple of weeks I forced myself to give it a go. What a joy...laminating is great. I now feel like my friend Andrew who is the official laminator in his office and wants to laminate everything!

I have put a photo of my lovely new laminated keyrings which will now be going to all my customers as well as friends, family and all my loved ones.

I have had a funny couple of days. I spent the morning collecting and dropping off work yesterday. I have got more orders from two shops which is great. One shop who had said no were very efficient at giving me my work back, the other just gave me a shrug and told me they had lost my cards...nice!

This whole selling business is so up and down. It's so lovely when people want your work and it really inspires and energises me. And I am handling the rejection much better than I had expected. I don't mind if people say no but wish some of them would be a bit more respectful about doing it. My main concern is whether my business is going to make me a living and how to really make sure it is a success.

Art is such a weird thing, it's so personal and I have been so pleased with the positives I have had and know some people really love my work but how do you reach all the other potential Sam Miller art lovers out there?? Just keep trying I guess. Will keep you posted.

Monday, 16 April 2012

Hi, hope you have had a great Easter. We were visiting my family in Sheffield which is always lovely. Had a bit of drama with a poorly grumpy husband but apart from that had a great time! We even ended up at the Workhouse at Mansfield and now my daughter likes to pretend she is in the workhouse which is great as it involves cleaning, sweeping the floor and getting other tasks done!!

She is back to school tomorrow so I am getting back into work mode myself. I've got lots of things coming up, sales events, orders to complete, shops to visit, new stock to make. It's all very exciting but also a bit scary as I only have from drop-off at 9am to collecting time at 2.30 to get everything done before I have to jump back in to being Mummy again which ususally involves lots of fun and lots of dancing but no chance of doing any work. Any tips on maximising time would be gratefully recieved. Maybe if the workhouse theme continues I can get JT on to printing and packaging!!

Wednesday, 4 April 2012

Due to the help of my big sister I managed to find a few lovely blogs to follow. Sorry I am very new to the old blogging business so am a little bit unsure how it all works. I just thought I'd dive in and have a go! I am really enjoying writing mine but wondered why anyone would want to look at it, but after looking at others I think it's maybe just a basic instinct...called nosiness!

I really loved looking at this blog which is really open and honest as well as having fantastic interviews and insights into some lovely artists. I feel really inspired by her attitude and her work, (thank you).
http://harmonysart.blogspot.co.uk/

I'm also pleased to add a fellow Sheffield lass to my list of people to follow!
It is another really good blog and has lots of info and I have joined her Being Creative Group which sounds great too. Will keep you posted.http://juliacrossland.blogspot.co.uk

About Me

Hi and welcome to my blog. I am an Artist, Illustrator and Mum living in Edinburgh. I create unique illustrations for businesses and individuals, in my unique distinctive style. I'm always happy to discuss new projects large or small. I am also a Director of Edinburgh Pop-Up Events. Thanks for visiting my blog X